There are lots of resources to help put a program together. They include publications, audiovisual material, financial support, and people. Some of them are free, but many cost money. In fact, there are so many resources that sometimes the problem is sorting out what is good or useful to you. National Families in Action (NFIA) is one resource that reviews books, brochures, videos, and other drug abuse prevention material. These reviews are available on their web site. You might look for other sources on the internet.
On the federal level, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) have publications they can provide in limited quantities.
Each state has a drug and alcohol abuse prevention division. These offices are responsible for putting together a prevention plan for the state each year, and they are aware of resources located around the state. You can obtain the address and telephone number of your state office by contacting your state government, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, or the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD) (see address list).
Do some research in your own community. Your local library or mental health or drug treatment center should have lots of information that you can use in your program. There are many experts in your community who may be willing to assist your post. These include the police, doctors, pharmacists, psychologists, and others.
There are some good drug prevention curriculum guides that give step-by-step instructions on how to teach drug prevention classes. Drug Strategies, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., has a publication "Making the Grade" that evaluates a number of the leading drug prevention curricula.
Films, videos, and slide shows can help make your programs interesting. Your local library may have some for loan or check with your state prevention coordinator for other possibilities. The National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI) has audiovisual materials available for a very minimal cost. Videos are also available from many commercial firms.
Training Resources
Several excellent resources which can be found in your community might be useful in establishing your program to train the Explorers in your post.
- The local DEA office—they have a Demand Reduction Coordinator in each of their field divisions around the country;
- The National Guard—each state has a Drug Demand Reduction Administrator;
- Drug rehabilitation centers—substance abuse counselors or recovering addicts;
- Your local pharmacist or doctor;
- University professors.
Financial Resources
Implementing a community drug awareness program need not involve large sums of money. The important thing to remember is that there are organizations that believe in what your post is doing and will want to help. While the plans and the amount sought will vary from community to community, there are certain issues common to all efforts:
- Discuss your plans with the post committee chairman and the head of the participating organization.
- To secure supplies and support, check with the local LFL office regarding local money-earning opportunities. In addition, posts can earn money by holding events such as dances, bowling, car washes, bake sales, etc.
Addresses
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
Demand Reduction Section
Washington, DC 20537
202-307-7936
www.usdoj.gov/dea
National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD)
808-17th Street, N.W., Suite 410
Washington, DC 20006
202-293-0090
www.nasadad.org
National Clearinghouse on Alcohol and Drug Information (NCADI)
P.O. Box 2345
Rockville, MD 20852
800-729-6686
www.health.org
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP)
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockwall II Bldg., 9th Floor
Rockville, MD 20857-0001
301-443-0365
www.samhsa.gov
Parents Resource Institute For Drug Education (PRIDE)
3610 Dekalb Technology Parkway, Suite 105
Atlanta, GA 30340
770-458-9900
www.prideusa.org
Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA)
152 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019-3310
212-841-5200
www.casacolumbia.org
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions Of America (CADCA)
901 North Pitt Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-706-0560
www.cadca.org
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National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)
1000 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
13th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
202-466-6272
www.ncpc.org
National Families in Action (NFIA)
Century Plaza, Suite 150
2957 Clairmont Road
Atlanta, GA 30329
404-248-9676
www.emory.edu/NFIA
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE America)
P.O. 2090
Los Angeles, CA 90051
800-223-3273
www.dare-america.com
Elks Drug Awareness Program
3037 Charing Cross
Brunswick, GA 31525-6846
912-264-1922
Email: gadap@darientel.net
Partnership for a Drug-Free America (PDFA)
405 Lexington Avenue (16th floor)
New York, NY 10174
212-922-1560
www.drugfreeamerica.org
Scott Newman Center
6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1906
323-469-2029
American Council for Drug Education (ACDE)
164 West 74th Street
New York, NY 10023
212-595-5810 ex.7861
Drug Strategies
1575 Eye Street, N.W.
Suite 210
Washington, DC 20005-1105
202-289-9070
www.drugstrategies.org
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